Pennsylvania.  State  Board  of  Censors 


(OF  MOTION  PICTURES) 


RULES  AND  STANDARDS 


Act  Passed  May  15,  1915 
Appropriation   July   16,   1917 


HARRISBURG,  PA. 


HARRISBITRCJ,  PA.: 

J     I.     I.    KITIN.    PK1NTEB   TO  THE  (COMMONWEALTH 

1018 


Pennsylvania  State  Board  of  Censors 


(OF  MOTION  PICTURES) 


RULES  AND  STANDARDS 


Act  Passed  May  15,  1915.     P.  L.  534 


FRANK  R.  SHATTUCK,  MRS.  EDWARD  C.  NIVER, 

Chairman  Vice-Chairman 

ELLIS  P.  OBERHOLTZER, 

Secretary 


OFFICES 

1025  Cherry  St.,  PHILADELPHIA 

Telegraph  Building,  HARRISBURG 

Vandergrift  Building,  PITTSBURGH 

PROJECTION  ROOMS 
1025  Cherry  St.,  PHILADELPHIA 


HARRISBURG.  PENNA. : 
J.  L.  L.  KUHN,  PRINTER  TO  THE  COMMONWEALTH 

1918 


UJ 


r 


C^  r 


-  ■ 


(2) 


No.  289. 
AN  ACT 

Relating  to  motion-picture  films,  reels,  or  stereopticon  views  or  slides;  providing 
a  system  of  examination,  approval,  and  regulation  thereof,  and  of  the  banners, 
posters,  and  other  like  advertising  matter  used  in  connection  therewith  ;  creating 
the  Board  of  Censors ;  and  providing  penalties  for  the  violation  of  this  act. 

DEFINITIONS. 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted,  &c,  That  the  word  "film"  used  in  this 
act  means  what  is  usually  known  as  a  motion-picture  film. 

The  word  "view"  used  in  this  act  means  what  is  usually  known  as  a 
stereopticon  view  or  slide. 

The  word  "person"  includes  an  association,  co-partnership,  or  a, 
corporation. 

USE  OF  FILMS,  REELS,  OR  VIEWS  PROHIBITED. 

Section  2.  It  shall  be  unlawful  to  sell,  lease,  lend,  exhibit,  or  use 
any  motion-picture  film,  reel,  or  view,  in  Pennsylvania,  unless  the 
said  film,  reel,  or  view  has  been  submitted  by  the  exchange,  owner,  or 
lessee  of  the  film,  reel,  or  view,  and  duly  approved  by  the  Pennsyl- 
vania State  Board  of  Censors,  hereinafter  in  this  act  called  the- 
Board. 

BOARD  OF  CENSORS. 

Section  3.  The  Board  shall  consist  of  three  residents  and  citizens 
of  Pennsylvania,  two  males  and  one  female,  well  qualified  by  educa- 
tion and  experience  to  act  as  censors  under  this  act.  One  male  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  shall  be  chairman,  the  female  member  shall  De- 
vice-chairman, and  one  male  member  shall  be  secvelary.  They  shall 
be  appointed  by  the  Governor,  for  terms  of  three  years.  Those  first 
appointed  under  this  act  shall  be  appointed  for  three  years,  two 
years,  and  one  year,  respectively;  the  respective  terms  to  be  desig- 
nated by  the  Governor. 

Section  4.  A  vacancy  in  the  membership  of  the  Board  shall  be 
filled  for  the  unexpired  term  by  the  Governor.  A  vacancy  shall  not 
impair  the  right  and  duty  of  the  remaining  members  to  perforin  all 
the  functions  of  the  Board. 

SEAL. 
Section  5.    The  Board  shall  procure  and  u§e  an  official  seal,  which 
shall  contain  the  words,  "Pennsylvania  State  Board  of  Censors/' 
together  with  such  design  engraved  thereon  as  the  Board  may  pre- 
scribe. 

(  3  ) 


APPROVALS  BY  BOARD. 

Section  6.  The  Board  shall  examine  or  supervise  the  examinations 
of  all  films,  reels,  or  views  to  be  exhibited  or  used  in  Pennsylvania; 
and  shall  approve  such  films,  reels,  or  views  which  are  moral  and 
proper;  and  shall  disapprove  such  as  are  sacrilegious,  obscene,  inde- 
cent, or  immoral,  or  such  as  tend,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Board  to 
debase  or  corrupt  morals.  This  section  shall  not  apply  to  announce- 
ment or  advertising  slides. 

STAMPJNG  FILMS,  REELS  AND  VIEWS. 
Section  7.    Upon  each  film,  reel,  or  view  which  has  been  approved 
by  the  Board  there  shall  be  furnished  and  stamped  by  the  Board  the 
following  certificate  or  statement 

Approved  by 

Pennsylvania  State  Board 

of  Censors, 

and  shall  also  furnish  a  certificate  in  writing,  to  the  same  effect,  which 
certificate  shall  be  exhibited  to  any  member  of  the  Board  or  employe 
thereof  upon  demand  of  the  holder  thereof. 

In  the  case  of  motion-pictures,  such  statement  shall  be  shown  on 
the  screen,  to  the  extent  of  approximately  four  feet  of  film. 

In  the  case  of  slides  or  views,  each  set  shall  have  at  least  two  slides 
or  views  shown  with  a  similar  statement. 

RECORD  OF  EXAMINATIONS. 
Section  8.     The  Board  shall  keep  a  record  of  all  examinations  made 
by  it  of  films,  reels,  or  views ;  noting  on  the  record  all  films,  reels,  or 
views  which  have  been  approved,  and  those  which  have  not  been  ap- 
proved, with  the  reason  for  such  disapproval. 

REPORT. 
Section  9.     The  Board  shall  report,  in  writing,  annually,  to  the 
Governor,  on  or  after  the  first  day  of  November  oi  each  year.     The 
report  shall  show: — 

1.  A  record  of  its  meetings,  and  a  summary  of  its  proceedings 
during  the  year  immediately  preceding  the  date  of  the  report. 

2.  The  results  of  all  examinations  of  films,  reels,  or  views. 

:i.     A  detailed  statement  of  all  prosecutions  for  violation  of  this 

act. 

4.  A  detailed  and  itemized  statement  of  all  expenditures  made 
by  or  on  behalf  of  the  Board. 

5.  Such  other  information  as  the  Board  may  deem  necessary  or 
useful  in  explanation  of  the  operations  of  the  Board. 

6.  Such  other  information  as  shall  be  requested  by  the  Governor. 


OATH  AND  BOND. 

Section  10.  The  chairman,  vice-chairman  and  secretary  shall,  be- 
fore assuming  the  duties  of  their  respective  offices,  take  and  sub- 
scribe the  oath  prescribed  by  the  Constitution  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
shall  enter  into  bonds  to  the  Commonwealth  in  the  sum  of  three  thou- 
sand dollars,  two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  and  two  thousand 
four  hundred  dollars,  respectively,  conditioned  for  the  faithful  per- 
formance of  their  duties. 

SALARIES. 

Section  11.  The  chairman  shall  receive  an  annual  salary  of  three 
thousand  dollars;  the  vice-chairman,  an  annual  salary  of  two  thou- 
sand five  hundred  dollars;  and  the  secretary,  an  annual  salary  of 
two  thousand  four  hundred  dollars.  The  salaries  shall  be  payable 
monthly. 

EXPENSES. 

Section  12.  Each  member  and  employe  of  the  Board  shall  be  al- 
lowed all  expenses,  of  whatsoever  nature,  actually  and  necessarily 
incurred  by  him  or  her  in  carrying  out  the  purposes  of  this  act. 

EMPLOYES. 

Section  13.  The  chairman  shall  appoint,  with  the  approval  of  the 
Governor,  the  following  employes:  One  chief  clerk  at  a  salary  of 
eighteen  hundred  dollars;  one  assistant  clerk,  at  a  salary  of  fifteen 
hundred  dollars ;  one  assistant  clerk,  at  a  salary  of  twelve  hundred 
dollars ;  two  stenographers  and  typewriters,  at  salaries  of  one  thou- 
sand dollars  each ;  two  stenographers  and  typewriters,  at  salaries 
of  seven  hundred  and  twenty  dollars  each ;  one  chief  inspector,  at 
a  salary  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars ;  three  inspectors,  at  salaries  of 
fourteen  hundred  dollars  each ;  three  inspectors,  at  salaries  of  twelve 
hundred  dollars  each ;  one  operator,  who  shall  be  an  electrician,  at  a 
salary  of  fourteen  hundred  dollars;  two  operators,  at  salaries  of 
twelve  hundred  dollars  each ;  one  operator,  at  a  salary  of  one  thou- 
sand dollars;  two  messengers,  at  salaries  of  seven  hundred  and 
twenty  dollars  each ;  one  assistant  operator  or  patcher,  at  a  salary 
of  six  hundred  dollars;  one  assistant  patcher,  at  a  salary  of  four 
hundred  and  eighty  dollars.  The  salaries  provided  for  above  shall  be 
annual,  and  payable  monthly. 

In  addition  to  the  employes  enumerated  above,  the  chairman  may, 
with  the  approval  of  the  Governor,  appoint  such  additional  employes 
as  the  work  of  the  Board  may  necessarily  require.  The  salaries  of 
such  additional  employes  shall  not  exceed,  in  the  aggregate,  the  sum 
of  five  thousand  dollars  annually. 


S  OFFICES. 

Section  14.  The  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Public  Grounds  and 
Buildings  shall  provide  adequate  offices  for  the  Board  in  Harrisburg. 
and  in  such  other  cities  of  the  Commonwealth  as  the  Board  may  re- 
quire in  carrying  out  the  intent  and  provisions  of  this  act.  Ade- 
quate projecting  or  inspecting-rooms  shall  be  provided  in  Philadel- 
phia, and  maintained  by  the  Board. 

SUPPLIES. 
Section  15.    Upon  requisition  of  the  Board,  the  Board  of  Commis- 
sioners of  Public  Grounds  and  Buildings  shall  furnish  to  the  Board 
all  furniture,  books,  stationery,  supplies,  machines,  and  paraphernalia 
necessary  in  the  work  of  the  Board. 

PRINTING  AND  BINDING. 
Section  1G.  The  printing  and  binding  necessary  for  the  proper  per- 
formance of  the  duties  of  the  Board,  or  the  proper  preservation  of  the 
records  of  the  Board,  including  the  printing  of  two  thousand  copies 
of  the  Annual  Keport  and  the  binding  thereof,  shall  be  done  by  the 
State  Printer,  upon  the  order  of  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Print- 
ing and  Binding,  upon  requisition  of  the  Board. 

FEES. 

Section  17.    For  the  examination  of  each  film,  reel,  or  set  of  views 

of  one  thousand  two  hundred  lineal  feet,  or  less,  the  Board  shall  re- 
ceive, in  advance,  a  fee  of  one  dollar,  and  one  dollar  for  each  duplicate 
or  print  thereof,  which  must  be  applied  for  at  the  same  time  and  by 
the  same  person. 

FEES  AND  FINES. 

Section  18.  All  fees  received  by  the  Board  and  all  fines  imposed 
for  violation  of  this  act  shall  be,  by  the  Board,  paid  into  the  State 
Treasury. 

Section  19.  The  money  necessary  to  carry  out  the  purpose  of  thi% 
act  shall  be  appropriated  by  the  General  Assembly  to  the  Board, 
biennially,  as  an  item  in  the  general  appropriation  bill. 

REGULATIONS  OF  EXHIBITIONS. 
Section  20.  Any  member  or  employe  of  the  Board  may  enter  any 
place  where  films,  reels,  or  views  are  exhibited ;  and  such  member  or 
employe  is  hereby  empowered  and  authorized  to  prevent  the  display 
or  exhibition  of  any  film,  reel,  or  view  which  has  not  been  duly  ap- 
proved by  the  Board. 


REGULATION    OF   BANNERS,    POSTERS    AND    ADVERTISING    MATTER. 
Section  21.     No  banner,  poster,  or  other  like  advertising  matter 
shall  contain  anything  that  is  immoral  or  improper.    A  copy  of  such 
banner  and  poster  shall  be  submitted  to  the  Board. 

RULES. 

Section  22.  This  act  shall  be  enforced  by  the  Board.  In  carrying 
out  and  enforcing  the  purposes  of  this  act,  it  may  adopt  such  rea- 
sonable rules  as  it  ma}'  deem  necessary.  Such  rules  shall  not  be  in- 
consistent with  the  laws  of  Pennsylvania. 

Section  23.  All  disbursements  of  such  nature  as  to  make  it  im- 
practicable for  the  Board  to  file,  with  the  Auditor  General,  itemized 
receipts  or  vouchers  prior  to  the  advance  by  the  accounting  officers 
of  funds  sufficient  to  meet  such  expense,  shall  be  paid  out  of  money 
specifically  appropriated  for  that  purpose,  in  the  manner  provided 
by  an  act,  entitled  "An  act  prescribing  a  method  for  disbursing'  and 
accounting  for  certain  appropriations  to  the  departments,  bureaus, 
commissions,  and  other  branches  of  the  State  Government,"  approved 
April  twenty-third,  Anno  Domini  one  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
nine. 

DUTIES   OF   PERSONS   WHO   SELL,   LEASE,   EXHIBIT,   OR  USE   FILMS, 

REELS,  OR  VIEWS. 

Section  24.  Every  person  intending  to  sell,  lease,  exhibit,  or  use 
any  film,  reel  or  view  in  Pennsylvania,  shall  furnish  the  Board,  when 
the  application  for  approval  is  made,  a  description  of  the  film,  reel, 
or  view  to  be  exhibited,  sold,  or  leased,  and  the  purposes  thereof ;  and 
shall  submit  the  film,  reel,  or  view  to  the  Board  for  examination ; 
and  shall  also  furnish  a  statement  or  affidavit  that  the  duplicate  film, 
reel,  or  view  is  an  exact  copy  of  the  original  film,  reel,  or  view,  as 
submitted  for  examination  to  the  Board;  and  that  all  eliminations, 
changes,  or  rejections,  made  or  required  by  the  Board  in  the  oriignal 
film,  reel,  or  view,  has  been  or  will  be  made  in  the  duplicate. 

INTERFERENCE  WITH  EMPLOYES  OF  BOARD. 

Section  25.  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person  to  hinder  or  inter- 
fere in  any  manner  with  any  member  or  employe  ol!  the  Board  while 
performing  any  duties  in  carrying  out  the  intent  or  provisions  of 
this  act. 

RE-EXAMINATION  AND  APPEAL. 

Section  26.  If  any  elimination  or  disapproval  of  a  film,  reel,  or 
view  is  ordered  by  the  Board,  the  person  submitting  such  film,  reel,  or 
view  for  examination  will  receive  immediate  notice  of  such  elimina- 


tion  or  disapproval,  and,  if  appealed  from,  such  film,  reel,  or  view  will 
be  promptly  re-examined,  in  the  presence  of  such  person,  by  two  or 
more  members  of  the  Board,  and  the  same  finally  approved  or  disap- 
proved promptly  after  such  re-examination,  with  the  right  of  appeal 
from  the  decision  of  the  Board  to  the  court  of  common  pleas  of  the 
proper  county, 

PENALTIES. 

Section  27.  Any  person  who  violates  any  of  the  provisions  of  this 
act,  and  is  convicted  thereof  summarily  before  any  alderman,  niagis- 
trade,  or  justice  of  the  peace,  shall  be  sentenced  to  pay  a  fine  of  not 
less  than  twenty-five  dollars,  nor  more  than  fifty  dollars,  for  the 
first  offense.  For  any  subsequent  offense  the  fine  shall  be  not  less 
than  fifty  dollars,  nor  more  than  one  hundred  dollars.  In  default  of 
payment  of  a  fine  and  costs,  the  defendant  shall  be  sentenced  to  im- 
prisonment, in  the  prison  of  the  county  where  such  offense  was  com- 
mitted, for  not  less  than  ten  days,  and  not  more  than  thirty  days. 
All  fines  shall  be  paid  by  the  alderman,  magistrate  or  justice  of  the 
peace  to  the  Board,  and  by  it  paid  into  the  State  Treasury. 

Section  28.  If  any  person  shall  fail  to  display  or  exhibit  on  the 
screen  the  approval  seal,  as  issued  by  the  Board,  of  a  film,  reel,  or 
view  which  has  been  approved,  and  is  convicted  summarily  before  any 
alderman,  magistrate,  or  justice  of  the  peace,  he  shall  be  sentenced 
to  pay  a  fine  of  not  less  than  five  dollars  and  not  more  than  ten  dol- 
lars ;  in  default  of  payment  of  a  fine  and  costs,  the  defendant  shall 
be  sentenced  to  imprisonment,  in  the  prison  of  the  county  where 
such  offense  was  committed,  for  not  less  than  two  days  and  not  more 
than  five  days. 

LIMITATION  OF   SCOPE  OF  ACT. 

Section  29.  This  act  does  not  apply  to  any  exhibition  of  or  use  of 
films,  reels  or  views,  for  purely  educational,  charitable,  fraternal. 
or  religious  purpose,  by  any  religious  association,  fraternal  society, 
library,  museum,  public  school,  or  private  school,  institution  of  learn- 
ing, or  by  any  corporation  of  the  first  class. 

Section  30.  The  several  sections  and  provisions  of  this  act  are 
hereby  declared  to  be  independent  of  each  other;  and  it  is  the  legis- 
lative intent  that,  if  any  of  said  sections  or  provisions  are  declared 
to  be  unconstitutional,  such  section  or  provision  shall  not  affect  any 
other  portion  of  this  act. 

REPEAL. 

Section  31.  The  act  approved  the  nineteenth  day  of  June,  one 
thousand  nine  hundred  eleven,  entitled  "An  act  regulating  the  ex- 
hibiting or  using  of  moving  pictures  and  stereopticon  views ;  provid- 


9 

ing  for  and  regulating  the  examination  and  approval  of  moving-pic- 
ture rilms  or  reels  and  stereopticon  views;  and  fixing  penalties  for 
the  violation  of  this  act,"  and  all  other  acts  or  parts  of  acts  incon- 
sistent herewith,  are  hereby  repealed. 

Approved— The  15th  day  of  May.  A.  D.  1915. 

MARTIN  G.  BRUMBAUGH. 


10 


RULES  AND  REGULATIONS 


1.  All  persons  submitting  films,  reels  or  views  for  examination 
by  the  Board,  shall  make  application  therefor  on  blanks  provided  by 
the  Board  with  the  signature  of  the  applicant,  or  a  duly  accredited 
representative  of  said  applicant,  (see  facsimile  of  application  blank) ; 
and  when  duplicates  or  prints  thereof  are  to  be  exhibited  such  appli- 
cation must  be  accompanied  by  a  statement  or  an  affidavit,  (1)  as  to 
the  number  of  duplicates,  (2)  that  the  duplicate  or  prints  are  identi- 
cal with  the  film,  reel,  or  view  to  be  examined  by  the  Board,  (3)  that 
any  eliminations  or  rejections  of  the  original  have  been  or  will  be 
made  in  each  of  the  duplicates  or  prints  thereof. 

2.  Each  application  for  examination  except  for  "Current  Events" 
shall  be  filed  with  the  Board  at  Philadelphia  at  least  one  week  before 
the  date  fixed  for  the  release. 

3.  Each  application  shall  be  accompanied  by  a  separate  money 
order  or  certified  check,  drawn  to  the  order  of  the  State  Treasurer, 
covering  the  number  of  reels  thereon  at  the  rate  of  $1.00  for  each 
film  or  reel  of  1,200  feet  or  less,  or  for  each  set,  or  series  of  views, 
and  $1.00  for  each  duplicate  or  print  of  each  film,  reel,  or  set,  or 
series  of  views.  One  check  for  the  amount  due  for  a  number  of  ap- 
plications made  at  one  time  by  the  same  person  may  be  accepted. 

4.  The  applicant  shall  furnish  to  the  Board  the  name  of  the  pro- 
ducing or  manufacturing  company  and  when  possible  the  names  of 
the  players  taking  the  leading  parts,  the  number  of  extra  or  ad- 
ditional prints  or  duplicates  and  the  description  of  the  film,  reel  or 
set  of  views,  in  addition  to  describing  the  scenes  depicted  and  the 
purposes  intended  to  be  subserved  or  lesson  (moral  or  otherwise), 
to  be  conveyed  by  such  film,  reel  or  set  or  series  of  views. 

5.  All  applications  for  films  shall  have  the  proper  title  inserted 
therein;  applications  marked  "Title  not  reported"  will  not  be  ac- 
cepted, and  any  substitution  or  change  in  the  title  thereof  shall  be 
made  on  or  before  the  date  of  delivery  of  the  reel,  film,  or  set  or  series 
of  views.  Such  changes  then  will  be  permitted  only  when  the  film, 
reel  or  set  or  series  of  views  is  of  similar  length  and  of  the  same 
number  of  parts  as  the  one  substituted. 

6.  All  films,  reels,  or  views  will  be  examined  or  passed  upon  by 
the  Board  at  the  projection  rooms  selected  by  the  Board  in  the  city 
of  Philadelphia,  and  at  such  other  place  as  may  be  fixed  by  the  Board 
from  time  to  time,  provided  satisfactory  arrangements  are  made  by 
the  applicant  as  to  time  and  place  for  examination  elsewhere. 


11 

7.  Each  film  or  reel  (original  or  duplicate)  shall  have  approxi- 
mately four  feet  of  film  upon  which  shall  appear  first  the  seal  of  the 
State  followed  by  the  words : 

"APPROVED  BY 
PENNSYLVANIA  STATE  BOARD  OF 

CENSORS," 

with  the  title  of  the  film  or  reel  approved  by  the  Board  (see  facsimile 
of  the  official  stamp  of  approval)  which  stamp  of  approval  shall  fol- 
low the  title  of  such  film  or  reel,  and  WHENEVER  EXHIBITED 
such  stamp  of  approval  SHALL  BE  SHOWN  ON  THE  SCREEN  TO 
THE  EXTENT  OF  APPROXIMATELY  FOUR  FEET  of  film  (ex- 
cept multiple  reels  covering  one  subject,  when  the  stamp  of  approval 
shall  follow  the  title  of  such  film  or  reel  and  have  a  similar  stamp  of 
approval  at  the  end  or  tail  of  such  multiple  reels)  and  each  set  or 
series  of  views  shall  have  at  least  one  slide  or  view  with  a  similar 
endorsement ;  which  official  stamp  of  approval  will  be  attached  to  the 
film,  reel  or  set  or  series  of  views  when  approved  by  the  Board.  In 
cases  of  emergency  numbered  stamps  of  approval  similar  to  the 
stamps  of  approval  carrying  the  names  of  the  films  or  reels  to  which 
they  belong  will  be  issued  by  the  Board.  These  numbers  and  the 
names  of  the  films  or  reels  to  which  they  are  authorized  to  be  at- 
tached will  be  duly  recorded  in  the  offices  of  the  Board. 

8.  Films,  reels  or  views  will  be  examined  by  the  Board  at  the 
Projection  rooms  in  the  order  that  the  applications  are  received,  and 
in  the  order  that  the  films,  reels  or  views  are  delivered  to  the  Board 
for  examination. 

9.  Flms,  reels- or  views,  which  have  been  submitted  for  examina- 
tion for  which  application  has  been  made  in  accordance  with  the  rules 
of  the  Board,  shall  be  delivered  at  the  projection  rooms  of  the  Board 
at  least  three  days  (Sundays  and  holidays  not  considered  as  a  day) 
prior  to  the  release  date  and  will  be  examined  by  the  Board  within 
forty-eight  hours  after  the  delivery  (or  sooner  if  possible),  and  re- 
turned the  day  following  the  examination  (or  the  same  day,  if  pos- 
sible), provided  the  original  receipt  given  at  the  time  of  the  delivery 
of  the  film,  reel,  or  view,  is  surrendered  by  the  applicant  receiving  the 
same. 

10.  All  films,  reels  or  views  to  be  examined  shall  be  delivered  to 
the  Board  by  messenger,  and  shall  be  well  wrapped  in  approved  metal 
cases. 

11.  All  films,  reels  or  views  to  be  examined  must  be  delivered  to 
the  Board  in  proper  and  fit  condition  to  place  upon  the  machines  for 
projection  purposes. 


L2 

12.  All  banners,  posters,  or  other  like  advertising  matter  used  in 
connection  with  the  display  of  the  film,  reel  or  view  must  be  sub- 
mitted at  the  time  the  film,  reel  or  set  or  series  of  views  is  delivered. 

13.  If  an  elimination  or  rejection  of  any  film,  reel  or  view  is 
ordered  the  applicant  will  receive  prompt  notice  of  such  elimination 
or  rejection,  and  if  not  agreed  to  by  the  applicant,  such  reel,  film  or 
view  (upon  request  in  writing  within  10  days)  will  be  re-examined 
in  the  presence  of  the  applicant  or  a  duly  accredited  representative. 
by  at  least  two  members  of  the  Board,  and  final  action  taken  by  the 
Board  thereon  as  promptly  thereafter  as  possible.  Original  elimina- 
tions may  be  thereafter  supplemented,  up  to  the  time  of  final  ap- 
proval. 

14.  Any  number  of  transfers  of  the  same  film,  reel  or  view  or  set 
or  series  of  views  may  be  made,  provided  always  that  written  certifi- 
cate of  approval  as  issued  by  the  Board  is  actually  delivered  to  the 
transferree,  which  certificate  shall  be  readily  accessible  to  any  mem- 
ber or  employee  of  the  Board  upon  demand  of  the  holder  1  hereof. 

15.  All  persons  (exhibitors,  operators,  etc.)  upon  request  shall  be 
shown  the  written  certificate  of  approval  as  issued  by  the  Board  by 
the  holder  thereof  at  the  time  the  film,  reel  or  set  or  series  of  views- 
is  delivered  to  them. 

16.  Any  film,  reel  or  view  delivered  to  the  Board  for  purposes  of 
examination  wall  not  be  re-delivered  to  the  applicant  until  the  exam- 
ination thereof  has  been  made  and  final  action  taken  by  the  Board, 
and  if  so  re-delivered  upon  request  will  lose  its  place  or  turn  npon 
the  examination  list. 

17.  The  approval  seal  as  issued  by  the  Board  must  be  detached 
from  the  film,  reel  or  view,  if  exhibited  outside  the  State,  unless  the 
changes,  alterations  or  eliminations,  if  ordered,  have  been  made  in 
the  film  to  be  exhibited  outside  of  the  State. 

18.  No  certificate  of  a  film,  reel  or  view  will  be  issued  until  the 
owner  of  such  film,  reel  or  view,  or  his  duly  accredited  representative, 
shall  have  stated  over  his  signature  upon  the  elimination  sheet  issued 
by  th-'  Board  that  the  eliminations  or  cut-outs  as  ordered  by  the  Board 
from  such  film,  reel  or  view,  have  been  made;  nor  until  such  owner. 
or  his  duly  accredited  representative,  shall  have  signed  the  Board's 
poster  approval  sheet,  signifying  his  agreement  to  the  Board's  action 
in  reference  to  banners,  posters,  etc.,  appertaining  to  such  film,  reel 
or  view. 

19.  If  an  Approval  Seal,  as  issued  by  the  Board  for  a  film,  reel  or 
view  has  been  lost  or  is  unfit  for  use,  a  substitution  thereof  may  be 
furnished  by  the  Board,  in  lieu  of  the  original  approval  seal,  if  the 
application  is  made  by  the  same  owner,  exchange  or  lessee,  setting 
forth  the  title  of  the  film,  reel  or  view,  the  name  of  the  manufacturer, 


13 

the  name  of  the  exchange,  the  State  number,  the  number  of  parts, 
how  many  duplicates  were  applied  for  at  the  time  the  original  ap- 
plication was  filed,  the  date  when  the  film,  reel  or  view  was  originally 
released,  and  when  said  application  is  received  and  acted  upon  fa- 
vorably by  the  Board,  the  substituted  seal  of  approval  will  be  issued 
upon  payment  of  the  sum  of  twenty-five  cents  by  the  applicant  (if 
such  applications  are  made  in  reasonable  quantities). 

20.  A  reprint  of  any  film,  reel  or  view  to  be  used  in  substitution 
of  a  film,  reel  or  view  which  has  become  unfit  for  use  and  is  out  of 
service  (not  on  the  shelves)  and  which  film,  reel  or  view  had  been 
approved  by  the  Board,  may  be  exhibited  in  lieu  of  the  original  film, 
reel  or  view,  if  an  application  is  made  by  the  same  owner,  exchange  or 
lessee,  setting  forth  the  title  of  the  film,  reel  or  view,  the  name  of  the 
manufacturer,  the  name  of  the  exchange,  the  State  number,  the  num- 
ber of  parts,  how  many  duplicates  were  applied  for  at  the  time  the 
original  application  was  filed,  the  date  when  the  film  was  originally 
released,  and  when  said  application  for  substitution  is  acted  upon 
favorably  by  the  Board,  a  new  written  certificate  will  be  issued  as 
well  as  a  proper  approval  seal  by  the  Board,  upon  payment  of  the  sum 
of  twenty-five  cents  by  the  applicant  (if  such  applications  are  made 
in  reasonable  quantities)  and  when  the  original  written  certificate 
of  approval  and  the  seal  as  used  on  the  old  film,  reel  or  view  are  de- 
livered to  the  Board. 

21.  Any  member  or  employe  of  the  Board  may  visit  any  place 
where  films,  reels  or  views  are  exhibited  and  must  not  be  interfered 
with  in  the  performance  of  his  duties. 

22.  All  complaints  as  to  the  fitness  of  films,  reels  or  set  or  series 
of  views  now  exhibited  or  hereafter  to  be  exhibited,  shall  be  in  writ- 
ing, signed  by  the  person  making  the  complaint  with  his  or  her  occu- 
pation and  address,  title  of  the  film,  reel  or  view  and  the  place  where 
last  shown. 

23.  Any  religious  association,  fraternal  society,  library,  museum, 
public  or  private  school  or  institution  of  learning  or  corporation  of 
the  first  class,  desiring  to  exhibit  or  use  any  films,  reels  or  views  for 
purely  educational,  charitable,  fraternal  or  religious  purposes,  shall 
make  application  therefor  on  blanks  provided  by  the  Board  with  the 
signature  of  the  applicant  or  a  duly  accredited  representative.  Such 
application  need  not  be  accompanied  by  a  fee. 

24.  Any  manufacturing  company  or  film  exchange  may  have  suffi- 
cient space  in  the  projection  rooms  of  the  Board  for  a  safe  of  the  ap- 
proved type  in  which  all  films,  reels  or  views  of  the  said  company  may 
be  kept  prior  to  examination. 


14 

25.  Each  member  of  the  Board  and  the  employes  thereof  will  be 
provided  with  suitable  badges  or  credentials  which  must  be  shown  by 
the  holder  thereof  to  the  proprietor  or  manager  of  the  place  where 
films,  reels,  or  views  are  exhibited  or  used. 

20.  The  films,  reels  or  views  to  be  examined  must  be  delivered  to 
the  Board  as  originally  manufactured  or  produced.  If  any  changes, 
eliminations  or  cut-outs  have  been  made,  a  typewritten  list  of  such 
changes,  eliminations  or  cut-outs  must  accompany  the  film,  reel  or 
view  to  be  examined.  When  films,  reels  or  views  are  reconstructed 
and  their  examination  is  applied  for  in  a  reconstructed  form  a  list 
of  the  changes  made  in  the  original  film,  reel  or  view,  shall  accom- 
pany the  film,  reel  or  view  for  record  in  the  Board's  offices. 

27.  When  an  approval  seal  is  issued  following  the  agreement  of 
the  applicant,  to  make  eliminations  suggested  by  the  Board,  it  shall 
be  issued  subject  to  the  condition  that  no  exhibitor  of  the  film  shall, 
in  exhibiting  the  same  produce  any  eliminated  portion  thereof  by 
act,  publication,  utterance,  or  other  means  of  communication. 


STANDARDS  OF  THE  BOARD. 


(t )  The  Board  will  condemn  pictures,  and  parts  of  pictures,  dealing 
with  "white  slavery."  The  procuration  and  prostitution  in 
all  forms,  of  girls,  and  their  confinement  for  immoral  pur- 
poses may  not  be  shown  upon  the  screen,  and  will  be  disap- 
proved. Mews  of  prostitutes  and  houses  of  ill-fame  will  be 
disapproved. 

(2)  Pictures,  and  parts  of  pictures,  which  deal  with  the  seduction 
of  women,  particularly  the  betrayal  of  young  girls,  and  as- 
saults upon  women,  with  immoral  intent,  will  be  disap- 
proved. 

l3)  Pre-natal  and  childbed  scenes,  and  subtitles  describing  them, 
will  be  disapproved. 

(4)  Pictures,  and  parts  of  pictures,  dealing  with  the  drug  habit; 

e.  g.,  the  use  of  opium,  morphine,  cocaine,  etc.,  will  be  disap- 
proved. The  traffic  in  habit-forming  drugs  is  forbidden  and 
visualized  scenes  of  their  use  will  be  disapproved. 

(5)  Scenes  showing  the  modus  operandi. of  criminals  which  are  sug* 

gestive  and  incite  to  evil  action,  such  as  murder,  poisoning, 
house-breaking,  safe-robbery,  pocket-picking,  the  lighting  and 
throwing  of  bombs,  the  use  of  ether,  chloroform,  etc..  to 
render  men  and  women  unconscious,  binding  and  gagging, 
will  be  disapproved. 

(6)  Gruesome  and  unduly  distressing  scenes  will  be  disapproved. 

These  include  shooting,  stabbing,  profuse  bleeding,  prolonged 
views  of  men  dying  and  of  corpses,  lashing  and  whipping, 
and  other  torture  scenes,  hangings,  lynchings,  electrocutions, 
surgical  operations,  and  views  of  persons  in  delirium  or 
insane. 

(7)  Studio  and  other  scenes,  in  which  the  human  form  is  shown 

in  the  nude,  or  the  body  is  unduly  exposed  will  be  disap- 
proved. 

(8)  Pictures,  and  parts  of  pictures,  dealing  with  abortion  and  mal- 

practice, will  be  disapproved.  These  will  include  themes  and 
incidents  having  to  do  with  eugenics,  "birth  control,"  "race 
suicide"  and  similar  subjects. 


1<) 

i '.)  i     Stories,  or  scenes  holding  up  To  ridicule  and  reproach  races, 

classes  or  other  social   groups,  as  well  as  the  irreverent  .and 

sacrilegious  treatment  of  religious  bodies  or  other  things 

held  to  be  sacred  will  be  disapproved.    The  materialization 

of  the  figure  of  Christ  may  be  disapproved. 

(10)  Pictures  which  deal  with  counterfeiting,  will  be  disapproved. 

(11)  Scenes  showing  men  and  women  living  together  without  mar- 

riage, and  in  adultery,  will  be  disapproved.  Discussion  of 
the  question  of  the  consummation  of  marriage,  in  pictures, 
will  be  disapproved. 

(12)  The  brutal  treatment  of  children  and  of  animals  may  lead  to 

the  disapproval  of  the  theme,  or  of  incidents  in  film  stories. 

(13)  The  use  of  profane  and  objectionable  language  in  subtitles,  will 

be  disapproved. 

(14)  Objectionable  titles,  as  well  as  subtitles  of  pictures,  will  be 

disapproved. 

(15)  Views  of  incendiarism,  burning,  wrecking  and  the  destruction 

of  property,  which  may  put  like  action  into  the  minds  of 
those  of  evil  instincts,  or  may  degrade  the  morals  of  the 
young,  will  be  disapproved. 

(16)  Gross  and  offensive  drunkenness,  especially  it  women  have  a 

part  in  the  scenes,  will  be  disapproved. 

(17)  Pictures  which  deal  at  length  with  gun  play,  and  the  use  of 

knives,  and  are  set  in  the  underworld,  will  be  disapproved. 
When  the  whole  theme  is  crime,  unrelieved  by  other  scenes, 
the  film  will  be  disapproved.  Prolonged  fighting  scenes  will 
be  shortened,  and  brutal  fights  will  be  wholly  disapproved. 

(18)  Vulgarities  of  a  gross  kind,  such  as  often  appear  in  slapstick 

and  other  screen  comedies,  will  be  disapproved.  Comedy 
which  burlesques  morgues,  funerals,  hospitals,  insane  asy- 
lums, the  lying-in  of  women  and  houses  of  ill-fame,  will  be 
disapproved. 

(19)  Sensual  kissing  and  love  making  scenes,  men  and  women  in 

bed  together  and  indelicate  sexual  situations,  whether  in 
comedies  or  pictures  of  other  classes  will  be  disapproved. 
Bathing  scenes,  which  pass  the  limits  of  propriety,  lewd  and 
immodest  dancing,  the  needless  exhibition  of  women  in  their 
night  dresses  or  underclothing,  will  be  disapproved. 

(20)  Views  of  women  smoking  will  not  be  disapproved  as  such,  but 

when  women  are  shown  in  suggestive  positions  or  their  man- 
ner of  smoking  is  suggestive  or  degrading,  such  scenes  will 
be  disapproved. 


17 

1 21  j     Pictures  or  parts  of  pictures  which  deal  with  venereal  dis- 
ease, of  any  kind,  will  be  disapproved. 

(22)  That  the  theme  or  story  of  a  picture  is  adapted  from  a  publi- 

cation, whether  classical  or  not;  or  that  portions  of  a  pic- 
ture follow  paintings  or  other  illustrations,  is  not  a  sufficient 
reason  for  the  approval  of  a  picture  or  portions  of  a  picture. 

(23)  Themes  or  incidents  in  picture  stories,  which  are  designed  to 

inflame  the  mind  to  improper  adventures,  or  to  establish 
false  standards  of  conduct,  coming  under  the  foregoing 
classes,  or  of  other  kinds,  will  be  disapproved.  Pictures  will 
be  judged  as  a  whole,  with  a  view  to  their  final  total  effect ; 
those  portraying  evil  in  any  form  which  may  be  easily  re- 
membered or  emulated,  will  be  disapproved. 
<24)  Banners,  posters  or  other  advertising  matter,  concerning  mo- 
tion pictures,  must  follow  the  rules  laid  down  for  the  pic- 
tures themselves.  That  which  may  not  be  used  upon  the 
screen,  must  not  be  used,  to  announce  and  direct  public  at- 
tention (to  the  picture,  in  the  lobby,  on  the  street,  or  in  any 
other  form. 


IS 

Facsimile  of  Application  Properly    Filled  Out. 
(Typewriter  to  be  used.) 

Form  No.  21 

PENNSYLVANIA  STATE  BOARD  OF  CENSORS 


FRANK    R.    SHATTUCK 

Chairman 
MRv    EDWARD    C.    MVER 

Vice  Chairman 

El, I. IS    P.    OBERHOLTZER 

Secretary 


No. 


Date 


APPLICATION  FOR  EXAMINATION 

PROJECTION    ROOMS,    1025    CHERRY    ST.,    PHILADELPHIA. 


TITLE 


Ths  Eyes  of  Genius. 


MANU- 
F.-U  TURER 

EXCHANGE 


DESCRIPTION 


Dornuch  Film  Co. 


Popular  Film  Co. 


No.   of  Reels   4 


Length  of 
Each   Reel 


4,000     Feet 


Extra  Number 
of  Duplicates 

or  Prints 
to  be  used  in 
Pennsylvania 


*See 
below 


Seward,  a  sculptor  finding  his  eyesight  failing  leaves  his  model  Lucille 
(who  is  in  love  with  him)  for  ths  country,  where  the  gypsy  Magda  poses 
for  him.  He  becomes  blind  after  the  work  is  completed  and  is  attended 
by  Lucille.  Magda  with  her  gypsy  friends  try  to  steal  the  famous  statue 
but  are  thwarted  by  Lucille,  who  realizes  once  more  that  she  has  re- 
gained Seward's  love,   when  he  destroys  the  statue  of  Magda. 


STYLE 

(Conicil v.   Drama, 
•vc.) 


Drama 


DATE    MANUFACTURED      (If  known) 


DATE  TO  BE  RELEASED      Sept.  10,  1915 


LESSON  OR 

MORAL   TO   BE 

TAUGHT 

NAMES    OF 

LEADING 

CHARACTERS 


The  love  everlasting. 


MALE 


John  Andrews 
Arthur  Broi\n 


FEMALE    Ida  May 

Sarah    Winters 


Mail   all  cheeks  and  applications  to  Projection  Rooms   at  least  one  week  before  release  date. 
Applications  must  be  signed  and  address  given. 

ALL    CHECKS   MUST   BE   CERTIFIED   AND   MADE   PAYABLE   TO   STATE   TREASURER   OP 

PENNSYLVANIA. 


It  is   agreed  that  the  duplicates   applied   for  | 
are   exact  copies   of   the   original   film    as   sub-  | 
mitted  for  examination,    and  that  all  elimina-  j  Signed 
dons  or  changes  required  by  the  Board  in  the  j   Address 
original  have  been  or  will  be  made  in  the  dupli   | 
eates  before  released  in  Pennsylvania. 


Popular   Film   Co. 

John  Smith,  Manager.- 


THE  ABOVE  TO  BE  FILLED  IN  BY  APPLICANT.  BELOW  TO  BE  FILLED  IN  BY  THE 

BOARD. 


DATE  APPLICA- 
TION RECEIVED 
BY  BOARD 


DATE  AND  PLACE 
EXAMINED 


DATE  OF 
APPROVAL  OR 
DISAPPROVAL 


EXAMINED   BY 


EXAMINATIONS 


RE-EXAMINA- 
TION 


By 


APPEAL 


Court 


Final 


Action 


COMMENTS 


•If  no  additional  sets  are  desired  mark  "none."    If  any  additional  sets  are  shown  in  Penn- 
sylvania,   mark   number  desired. 


.19 


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v. 


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t 

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o 


7i   t-1 


5! 


O 

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3  z 


W 
O 
► 

3 


20 


PENNSYLVANIA  STATE  BOARD  OF  CENSORS. 

No 

<Cfjia  is!  to  Certify  tfjat 


is  an  employee  of  the  Board  and  may  enter  any  place 
where  films,  reels  or  views  are  exhibited  or  used. 

Chairman. 


I^PHIET  BINDER 

===   Syracuse.  N.  Y, 
Slockfon,  Catif. 


A  A      000  242  246    7 


